20 minutes of advice on how to live from Neil Gaiman

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In some circles, Neil Gaiman has attained near rockstar status. Twenty years ago Gaiman was making the celebrated graphic novel Sandman, and was dabbling in longer-form writing. He went on to write amazing books like American Gods, Coraline, and Neverwhere. He was recently asked to give the commencement speech at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and the entire 20 minute video is brimming over with good advice.

Gaiman begins by talking about his background in journalism, and how he learned that more important than the drive to make money, is the one to make good art. At least when you do the work that you truly believe in, even if the money doesn’t come, you’ve made something to be proud of.

The talk is broken down into six sections where he urges students to go forth into the world and do what makes them happy. He warns of the perils of failure, and how it can leave you with little more than experience, but also the dangers of success. The problems with success, Gaiman pointed out, are harder because no one tells you about them.

Time and time again in the speech, he comes back to the central tenet that the graduates should simply make good art. The realities of working as a freelance artist or writer might lead these students to take the work that pays the most, or that will be the easiest, but Gaiman says no. Do the work that only you can do, and stop occasionally to enjoy what you’re doing and what makes you happy. That’s good advice for all of us.